Warning issued over ‘digital drugs’ in UAE

Abu Dhabi, UAE: An unfounded trend that faded away a couple of years ago in the US after needlessly alarming parents that their children may be using what’s called “digital drugs” has surfaced in the UAE.

The issue of “digital drugs” is finding its way into the UAE, said an official on Wednesday at the Family Role in Modern Society Conference that took place in the capital.

“Digital drugs [are] a type of hysterical music that young people, even some adults, download online for free. Those who produce it advise wearing large-sized clothes, covering the eyes, lying down resting and putting off mobiles and every destructive element in order to be fully focused on the music,” said Col Dr Sarhan Al Meheini, deputy director of Police Sciences Academy.

“The drug has the same effect on the mood as marijuana and hashish, and is as dangerous,” he said at the Family Role in Modern Society Conference in the Capital yesterday.

Spectacular claims

Claims of drug-induced feelings of any kind are hard to verify and strongly debunked by a variety of organisations that note that digital music simply uses binaural tones that are presented in each ear separately.

In fact, since first being discovered in 1839, all kinds of spectacular claims have been made about binaural tones such as their ability to help people quit smoking, diet, relax, improve memory and now, even induce intoxication. Some experts say none of the claims have ever been proven.

Robert Zatorre, professor of neuroscience at McGill University in Montreal, had earlier told a Canadian news organisation that there was nothing to substantiate claims that digital “drugs” make people high.

“It doesn’t really do anything to the brain,” Zatorre said. “It does the same thing to the brain if you’re standing looking at a pendulum swinging back and forth. You get stimulation from the right, then from the left. That’s about it.”

Despite the scepticism, in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, Al Meheini warned parents to be aware of the issue and to monitor what their children listened to.

Unhealthy behaviour

Al Meheini also recommended general awareness about drugs, their effects and how to avoid falling prey to trying them.

He believes curiosity drives children to try unhealthy behaviour, and that information about the dangers of these drugs should be subjects for discussion and be taught at schools as part of the curriculum.

Most people were not aware of this issue. “This is the first time I’ve heard of such a drug. This is very serious and I wish that the authorities block these sites,” said Marwa, aged 47. “This is a plague that should be prevented. We cannot constantly monitor our children when they go to school, clubs and friends,” said Emirati Saif, 52.